My husband recently embarked on a Keto Diet which means I either have to make him something keto friendly or find keto friendly recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Keto friendly meals aren’t really that hard to come up with, basically you just have to limit or replace the carbs. So that means pastas are out unless you use edemame spaghetti or other flourless pasta substitutes. But any way one of our favorites turned out to be this Chicken & Asparagus dish that my husband can eat with a small salad and the rest of the family can eat with pasta or even rice.

My grandkids and even my husband were not big asparagus fans, but after tasting this Chicken & Asparagus dish they decided it was pretty good. One of the best things about this Chicken & Asparagus dish is that it’s super easy to make, it’s really just a stir fry and can be ready in about a half and hour!

Chicken & Asparagus – A Keto Friendly Dish!

2 Servings

Ingredients

4 Pieces Boneless/Skinless Chicken Thighs cut into chunks

7-8 Stalks Asparagus cut into thirds

2 Tbs. Olive Oil

1 Tbs. Minced Garlic

1 Tsp. Lemon Pepper

1 Tsp. Rosemary

1/2 Tsp. Thyme

1/2 Tsp. Sea Salt

1/2 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper

1 Tsp. Parsley

1/2 Cup Chicken Stock

Directions

Combine dry seasonings in a small bowl (not the garlic)

Heat Olive Oil in a wok or deep frying pan

Saute Garlic until it starts to turn brown

Add chicken and seasoning mixture

Cook until chicken is done

Remove chicken from pan and set aside

Add asparagus to pan and cover with chicken stock

Cook until asparagus is tender

Return chicken to pan and toss with asparagus

Turn heat up and cook until liquid is mostly gone – keep stirring so it won’t burn

Several years ago while planning my son’s wedding Sheena, his bride, my daughter Jaime, and I found ourselves wandering the aisles of our local craft store that specialized in wedding decor. As we wandered the aisles we oohed and aahed over the supplies picking out what we liked and wondering how we could use them to make centerpieces for the reception. Unbeknownst to us our crazy conversation was overheard by one of the floral designers. He approached us ready to give advice. He pointed out that we needed to consider not only the cost but the time it would take to put together the elaborate centerpieces we were imagining. When he found out we needed over 20 centerpieces he told us it would take forever and cost a small fortune if we included all the supplies he heard us mention. I mean we wanted ribbons, marbles, ferns, fresh flowers, in short all the bells and whistles. The best advice we got that day was KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid!

So what does this have to do with food? A lot! These days we’re bombarded with new culinary trends daily. That new sauce, new kitchen gadgets, exotic ingredients, and more; all of course designed to somehow make our lives better or easier, and our taste buds tingle. Well all that is all good and well, but sometimes we yearn for something simple and basic. And what can be more simple than a tomato salad?

This tomato salad is a no brainer. It requires 2 ingredients, 3 if you count the garnish. You don’t need fancy gadgets or fussy dressings. It’s simple, fresh, healthy, and absolutely delicious! Tomato Salad is perfect for those vine ripened summer tomatoes and those greenhouse tomatoes we find in the winter.

It’s a great starter with any meal or as a light lunch. Did I mention it takes less than 5 minutes to throw together? Perfect!

My husband announced last week that he would start his low carb diet on Monday. He does this to drop the few pounds he gained during a vacation. I think just about everyone I know comes home carrying a few extra pounds around their waist as souvenirs.

When my husband decides to go on one of these diets meal preparations can be challenging. I’m just glad he said low carb not no carb!

Here’s a chicken recipe using the garlic sauce I recently discovered how to make. The sauce is usually used as a dip or sauce over chicken shawarma or shish taouk, Middle Eastern dishes our family loves. I made a quart of this sauce which I keep in the fridge and I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate it in other dishes.

This Garlic Lemon Chicken is so easy to make, it takes less than half an hour to cook up. I served it with a nice salad, but you can serve it over pasta or rice with a simple veggie side dish.

As many folks know we host a barbecue every Sunday night for friends and relatives. I like to change it up every know and then by testing out different side dishes, sauces, and desserts; it keeps things interesting.

The other week I decided to dress up the steak. I’ve heard it said that adding any kind of sauce to a great cut of meat is an insult. I’d have to agree, we usually grill rib-eyes and top them off with sauteed mushrooms; but this time I thought I’d offer a different steak sauce on the side. Actually I didn’t dress up the steak, I spruced up the mushrooms with a bit of balsamic vinegar, it was delicious.

This sauce is so good you’ll want to grill an extra steak and make extra sauce just so you can have leftovers for lunch the next day!

5. Add balsamic vinegar and 3/4 of the can of beef broth; reserve the rest for later.

6. Lower heat and simmer mushrooms until the liquid is reduced by a quarter or more. About 15 minutes. Stir constantly scrapping the bottom of the pan so keep sauce from burning.

7. Dissolve corn starch in the remaining beef broth and slowly stir in to the mushroom mixture. It should thicken slightly.

8. Remove from heat, pour into bowl or gravy boat. Garnish with parsley and serve.

This sauce is delicious! We had a lift over steak and some sauce which I placed together in an airtight plastic bowl and stored in the fridge. The steak marinated in the sauce overnight and made a tasty lunch the next day!